Tuition fees, motivation fees, exam fees! Parents now say 'tumechoka'

Parents with children in public primary and secondary schools have raised alarm over the many types of fees they are required to pay to keep their kids in school and which are draining their pockets faster than a burst pipe.

The parents are frustrated at how their kids are being sent back home on a daily basis to 'collect' different fees. This despite the fact that one school year now has four terms even as many are recovering form the Covid-19 pandemic.

Elizabeth Mukosi whose daughter, a Form Four candidate at St Laurence Girls Makueni has been home for close to two months now over what she says is lack of school fees.

Her numerous attempts to plead with the school to accommodate the girl as she looks for the fee balances have fallen on deaf ears.

"I have tried to plead with the principal of the school to take my daughter back as I look for the money but she was adamant; keep your daughter home until you clear the school fees balance."

She tells The Nairobian that "this experience has taken a toll on me as well as my daughter who is preparing for exams"

Public primary schools are not spared either.

Josphine Ateya, a parent at Mowlem Superloaf Primary School claims that her children keep on being sent away from school over what she says is tuition money, money for exam materials, security and other auxiliaries.

The government banned tuition but The Nairobian has discovered that most schools are carrying out this program. It is considered a source of extra income for teachers who are reaping big.

But, according to Mr Benson Irungu, the headmaster of Mowlem Superloaf Primary parents agreed to pay the extra money so as to enable the school run well.